Fluid pressure regulator



Jan. 1, 1957 L. c. ZONKER 2,775,981

FLUID PRESSURE REGULATOR Filed April 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l J nu u INVENTORQ Z/JWRE/VCE C. Z O/VKER. BY

mwiiww A T TORNE Y.

United States Patent Ofiice 2,775,981 Patented Jan. 1, 1957 FLUIDPRESSURE REGULATOR Lawrence -C. Zonker, Bell, Calif.

Application April 26, 1954, Serial No. 425,708

6 Claims. (Cl. 137-50512) However, the device has particular utility in connection with the supplying of internal combustion engines used .in motor vehicles with vaporized hydrocarbon fuels such .as, .for example, propane, butane and the like.

As is well known, these hydrocarbon fuels have relatively .hig-h vapor pressures .at normal atmospheric temperatures and pressures and various problems are encountered in providing internal combustion engines with .a suitable propane or butane gas for .the fuel mixtures under various .engine operating conditions, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a device which will solve these problems.

'More particularly, diificulty has been encountered in ,pressure regulating and vaporizing devices for. propane, butane and like fuels in providing a suitable fuel supply for starting, idling and acceleration, and it is a further object of the invention to provide a device which solves this problem.

A.still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the present character which will immediately supply fuel to the engine when said engine is turned over.

Another object of the invention is to provide means of this character whereby the engine will start without priming or choking.

"Still another object of the invention is to provide means of this character which eliminates troublesome flat spots oif-idle.

.Another problem encountered in pressure regulating devices handling such fuels as propane and butane is that of completely's'hutting .off the fuel when the engine 'is not in .operation, even .under conditions which might cause the primary chamber .pressure to increase as much as 500% higher than-normal as has been found to occur, and it .is a further object of the present invention to .provide s'imple andetfec'tive shutoff means which will completely shut ofi the fuel supply to the engine, even under the above referred to conditions of abnormally high pressures. v

Astill'further object of the invention is .to provide in a device of theipresent character shutoff means which will operate automatically .to shut off the supply of fuel to the engine when the engine is not operating.

Another object of the invention is toprovide such shutolf means that is simple in construction and operating and that isefiect'ive and re'liablein operating.

Novelty also resides in the cooperative relationship of certain -of the parts and the characteristics and advantages of .the invention arefurther sufficiently referred to in connection With the following detaileddescription of the accompanying drawings-which represent one embodiment. After considering this example, skilled persons will understand that many variations may be made without departingfrom the principles disclosed, and it is contemplated that any structures, arrangements or modes of operation that .are properly within the scope of the appended claims may be employed.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. l is a schematic view showing an internal combustion engine and the fuel supply system thereof in which a pressure regulating device .embodying the present invention is incorporated;

Fig. 2 is a-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectionalview of the shutoif or lock-otf mechanism;

Fig. -4 is a view, partially in section, taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a view, partially in section, taken on line '5-5 of Fig. 5..

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 there is shown an internal combustion engine, indicated generally at 10, which has an intake manifold 11 with a depending inlet portion 12 at the free end of which is ,a flange 13 for attachment of an updraft carburetor 14. The carburetor includes an air inlet 15 and a throttle valve 16. While the carburetor is shown as being of the updraft type it is to be understood that it may also be of downdraft or horizontal draft, the intake manifold then being of suitable character to accommodate such other type of carburetor. t

The pressure regulator and vaporizer is indicated generally at and has a water connection 21 with a suitable part .of the engine cooling system. For example conduit 21 is connected with conduit 22 leading from the radiator 23.;to the water pump 24. An outlet conduit 25 leads from the regulator .to-another part of the engine cooling system .such as the water jacket, notshown.

Fuel is derived from a tank .30 having a supply conduit 31leading to a filter 32. From the filter the fuel is supplied to .the regulator by means of a conduit .33. Vaporized fuel .is conveyed from the regulator to the carburetor by means of .a conduit ,34, and the regulator is provided with a vacuum conduit v35 which is connected to the engine induction system posterior .to the throttle valve. These various connections will be more fully described hereinafter.

Referring more particularly to the regulator, the device comprises a body casing which has an outer wall 41 and a dividing wall 42 intermediate the sides of the body casing. At one side of the wall 42 is a primary or vaporing chamber 43 and at the opposite side is .a secondary reducing chamber 44. The wall 42 forms part of a generally U-shaped heating chamber 45 having a hot water inlet connected to the engine water cooling system by the conduit 21 and having an outlet to which theconduit 25 is connected.

A primary diaphragm 47 is marginally clamped between the free edge of one side of wall 41 and a cover 48, screws 49 securing the cover to the body casing. The cover 43 is formed with a chamber 5.00n the side of the diaphragm 47, the latter having reinforcing plates 51 on opposite sides thereof. A spring retainer 52 is disposed on the :side of the diaphragm exposed to chamber and a generally 'U- shaped lever engaging member '53 is disposed on the opposite side of said diaphragm, the plates, spring retainer and member 53 being secured together by a screw '54 and nut 55. A primary spring 56 reacts between'the adjacent plate 51 and a primary spring cover plug 57 screwed .into the bore of an outwardly extending portion 58 of the cover 48.

Within the chamber 43 .is :a bracket60 to which a primary lever 61 is pivoted intermediate its ends, as at 62. The bracket is provided with outwardly extended ears 63 which are secured by screws 64 to lugs 65 provided therefor and forming an integral portion of the body casing. The inner end of member 53 is disposed beneath the inner end of lever 61 for actuation of same, while the outer end of said lever is provided with a disc 68 (of neoprene or other suitable material) comprising a movable valve member or closure which is adapted to control the flow of fluid through passage 69 in a fixture 70 screwed into a threaded bore 71 provided therefor. The bore 71 communicates with the fuel inlet conduit 21 by means of a passage 72. The disc 68 cooperates with a valve seat 74 at the outer end of fixture 70 to control the flow of fluid into chamber 43.

The outer side of chamber 44 is closed by a secondary diaphragm 80 marginally clamped between a secondary regulator cover 81 and the adjacent edge of wall 41.

There is a threaded bore 82 in wall 42 in which is screwed a fixture 83 having an axial passage 84 therethrough with a valve seat 85 at the end opening into chamber 44 so that there is a connection between said chamber and chamber 43. A movable valve member or closure disc 86 (of neoprene or other suitable material) is secured to the adjacent end of a secondary lever 87 pivoted intermediate its ends to a bracket 88 by means of a pivot pin 89. Bracket 88 is provided with outwardly extending ears 90 which are secured to lugs 91 by means of screws 92, said lugs being formed integrally with the casing body. The inner end of lever 87 is notched or forked there being a pair of fingers 94 spaced apart by notch 95 which extends longitudinally from the free inner end of said lever 87.

Lever 87 is connected to the secondary diaphragm 80 by means of a stud 97 having a reduced diameter threaded end 98 for reception of a nut 99 whereby said stud and reinforcing plates 100 are secured to the diaphragm 80. The stud is provided adjacent its inner end with an annular groove 101 so that said fingers 94 may be operably received therein for forming a connection so that movement of diaphragm 80 will effect movement of lever 87 which, in turn will control the position of valve disc 86 and hence control the flow of fluid between chamber 43 and chamber 44. A secondary spring 103 reacts between the bottom of a recess provided therefor in wall 42 and the lever 87 inwardly of pivot 89 so as to urge said lever in a direction closing the valve controlling the flow of fluid between chambers 43 and 44. A screw 104 in lever 87 serves as a spring retainer for the adjacent end of spring 103.

An idle arrangement includes yielding means for urging the secondary valve controlling the flow of fluid between chambers 43 and 44 in the opening direction. This means includes a wire spring 105 having one end secured between lever 87 and an overturned end portion 106. The spring 105 projects laterally of the lever 87 and has a free end portion which is engaged by the conical free end 10711 of an idle adjustment screw 107 threadably received in a tapped bore in the adjacent portion of wall 41. Screw 107 is provided with a slotted head 108 between which and the adjacent portion of wall 41 an idle coil spring 109 reacts, the spring 109 being disposed about the idle adjustment screw 107. Turning of the screw 107 inwardly or outwardly varies the tension of spring 105 for adjustment of the supply of idling fuel, chamber 44 having a vapor outlet passage 110 connected with conduit 34 which leads to the mixing chamber of the carburetor. Outlet passage 110 is provided with a metering valve or power screw 111 for adjusting the effective size of said passage. Valve 111 is screwed into a threaded bore provided therefor in wall 41, and the outer end of the valve is notched for reception of a suitable tool for actuating same. A lock nut 112 is provided for the valve 111 for locking it in adjusted positions.

The automatic shutoff means includes a chamber 120 defined in part by the walls of a recess formed in the partition wall 42. The outer side of chamber 120 is closed by a flexible vacuum lock diaphragm 121 having a marginal edge portion clamped between a portion of wall 42 provided therefor and a-clamping ring 122, screws 123 being used to secure the ring to the wall 42.

The shuoff diaphragm 121 is provided with reinforcing plates 125 on opposite sides thereof and on the outer side of the outer plate is a nut 126 threadably received on the outer end of a screw 127, the diaphragm and plates being secured together by the screw and nut. Nut 126 may be called a bumper and is so located that its outer end may engage the inner end of lever 87 and the nut is urged into such engagement by a spring 129 having its inner end received in a recess provided therefor in wall 42. The opposite end of spring 129 is received about the head of screw 127 so that the spring is retained in operative position. Chamber 120 is connected with a suitable source of vacuum and has a restricted port 131 connected with a tapped bore in which is received a fixture 132 of conduit 35 which leads to the intake manifold of the engine posterior to the throttle valve 16.

When the engine is not operating substantially atmospheric pressure exists in the intake manifold, and, hence, atmospheric pressure exists in chamber 120. The spring 129 then forces diaphragm 121 outwardly so that nut 126 engages the inner end of lever 87 and effects positive closing of the secondary valve which controls the flow of fluid between chambers 43 and 44. The force with which spring 129 urges valve member 86 onto its seat is such that even when the pressure in the primary chamber 43 increases abnormally, as hereinabove pointed out, the secondary valve will be held securely closed against leakage.

However, when manifold vacuum is high, that is when the pressure in the manifold is low, the pressure is low in chamber 120 and the diaphragm 121 is drawn inwardly relative to chamber 120 against the force of spring 129 so that the nut 126 is moved to a position whereat there will be no engagement with lever 87 while the engine is operating. Hence, secondary diaphragm is free to actuate lever 87 and thus control the secondary valve 86. Obviously, as soon as the engine stops running the manifold vacuum drops and the pressure in the manifold rises to atmospheric pressure. Spring 129 then effects outward movement of shutoff diaphragm so that nut 126 engages lever 87 and forces the secondary valve tightly closed. This vacuum shutoff or lock-off is entirely automatic so that the operator of the vehicle need not concern himself with it.

Assuming that the engine is operating so that the vacuum shutoff is in the released position, liquid butane or other suitable gas passes from the fuel tank 30, through conduit 31, filter 32, conduit 33 and into the primary chamber 43, the inflow being controlled by the inlet valve and the pressure in the chamber being under the control of primary diaphragm 47. This gas expands into the primary or vaporizing chamber 43 where it is reduced to a suitable pressure, such as for example 5 pounds per square inch. This gas is converted into a dry gas by heat from the heat chamber 45 and the gas then passes through the secondary valve 86 into the secondary chamber 44 at a rate dependent upon venturi created demand and the setting of power screw 111. The conduit 34 from the regulator to the carburetor is connected with the carburetor venturi in the usual manner for fuel systems of the present type, and, hence, the venturi is not shown. It is also to be understood that in some installations a complete carburetor need not be used and an adapter incorporating a venturi may be used. This type of installation is also well known and is not shown. In the installation shown, the vaporized dry gas is drawn into the carburetor and mixed with air in the proper proportions for ideal engine combustion. 7

As has already been pointed out the spring 129 of the vacuum shutoff is a relatively strong one so that it will positively shut off the flow of fluid through the secondary valve between'chambers 43-and'44. "Hence, the second- "ary valve spring 103 may be very weak, whichfi-sthe =desired type of secondary -valvc -sprin g i so that a very sensitive control will be provided.

"With the foregoing in 'mind, the instant the'engine begins to turn over (starting with closed throttle) the vacuum diaphragm 121 -is drawn inward-1y of chamber 120 to release lever :87. The secondary regulator then becomes slightly positive for immediate starting so .that it is unnecessary 'to provide primers or chokes vas starting aids.

The reason the secondary regulator becomes slightly positive with the initial turning over of the engine is that as soon as the shutoit releases lever 87 the idle system opens the secondary valve slightly due to the counterbalancing of the relatively weak secondary lever arm spring 103 by the idle spring 105.

At this time the idling mixture passes into the conduit 34 into the carburetor venturi.

It is this arrangement which also eliminates the troublesome flat spots oil idle.

It is to be noted that the relatively powerful shutoflf spring 129 overcomes the force of both the secondary spring 103 and idle spring 105 and effectively closes the secondary valve when the engine is stopped.

A fuel test bar 140 extends through an opening 141 provided therefor in cover plate 81. This bar is near the idle adjustment and may be pushed toward the back cover plate 81 in order to flex diaphragm 80 and open valve 86 for the purpose of giving a test shot of fuel or to determine if fuel is reaching the regulator. This bar also enables priming in installations which do not permit starting with a closed throttle, and may be used as an aid in starting new installations before idle and power adjustments have been made.

A breather port 142 is provided in the cover plate 81 to vent chamber 143 to atmosphere on the outer side of diaphragm 80. Likewise chamber 50 is vented to atmospliere by means of a breather port 144 in the cover 48.

What I claim is:

1. In a fluid pressure regulator: a body casing having oppositely facing recesses separated by a partition wall; a flexible diaphragm forming one side of one of said recesses to provide a primary pressure chamber having an inlet for relatively high pressure fluid; valve means for said inlet, said valve means being controlled by said diaphragm; a flexible secondary diaphragm forming one side of the other of said recesses to provide a secondary pressure reducing chamber; a connection between said chambers; secondary valve means for controlling said connection; means connecting the secondary valve means and secondary diaphragm together; relatively light yielding means urging said secondary valve in the closing direction; idle means, including yielding means counterbalancing the first mentioned yielding means; and shutoff means including means forming a vacuum chamber; a shutofl diaphragm exposed to vacuum in said vacuum chamber; and relatively strong yielding means urging the shutofl diaphragm in a direction to apply pressure on the secondary valve in the valve closing direction to tightly close said valve when no vacuum is applied to said shutolf diaphragm.

2. In a pressure regulator unit: primary regulating means including means defining a primary pressure chamber; and a secondary regulating means including means defining a secondary pressure chamber having an inlet connected with the primary chamber and an outlet; a movable pressure responsive wall subjected on one side to pressure in said secondary chamber; a secondary valve controlling the inlet of said secondary chamber, said valve including a movable valve element; a lever pivotally mounted in said secondary chamber, said movable valve element being carried by said lever adjacent one end thereof, the other end of said lever being connected to said pressure responsive movable wall, the pivotal point 'saidlever *be'ing"adjacentsaid'valve and the side of the lever connected with said 'wa'll being much "longer "than "the portion at the other side ofsaid pivotal point, said lever-also extending beyond the ;point of connection with "said wall; -a relatively light spring acting on the longer portion of 'said lever and urging same in a direction to moving the valve in the closing direction; and shutoff means including a bumper for engagement of the extended part of said dever; .a relatively strong spring urging I said bumper against said lever in a \direction .to effect closing of said valve; and a diaphragm connected to said bumper and adapted to effect retraction of same from said lever when a relatively low pressure is applied to one side of said diaphragm.

3. The invention defined by claim 2 wherein there is an idling spring acting on the shorter portion of said lever urging same in the valve opening direction.

4. In a fluid pressure regulator: a body casing having oppositely facing recesses separated by a partition wall; a pressure responsive element forming one side of one of said recesses to provide a primary pressure chamber having an inlet for relatively high pressure fluid; valve means for said inlet, said valve means being controlled by said pressure responsive element; a secondary pressure responsive element forming one side of-the other of said recesses to provide a secondary pressure chamber; a connection between said chambers; secondary valve means for controlling said connection; means connecting the secondary valve means and secondary pressure responsive element together; relatively light yielding means urging said secondary valve in the closing direction; idle means, including yielding means counterbalancing the first mentioned yielding means; and shutoff means including means forming a vacuum chamber, and a pressure responsive wall exposed to vacuum in said vacuum chamber; and relatively strong yielding means urging said wall in a direction to apply pressure on the secondary valve in the valve closing direction to tightly close said valve when no vacuum is applied to said wall.

5. In a fluid pressure regulator: a body casing having oppositely facing recesses separated by a partition wall; a pressure responsive element forming one side of one of said recesses to provide a primary pressure chamber having an inlet for relatively high pressure fluid; valve means for said inlet, said valve means being controlled by said element; pressure responsive means forming one side of the other of said recesses to provide a secondary pressure chamber; a connection between said chambers; secondary valve means for controlling said connection; means connecting the secondary valve means and said pressure responsive means together; relatively light yielding means urging said secondary valve in the closing direction; idle means, including yielding means counterbalancing the first mentioned yielding means; vacuum controlled shutofl means; and relatively strong yielding means acting on said shutoff means so as to apply pressure on the secondary valve in the valve closing direction when no vacuum is applied to said shutoff means.

6. In a pressure regulator: primary pressure regulating and reducing means; and secondary regulating and reducing means, the latter comprising means defining a chamber, said means including a pressure responsive movable wall subjected to chamber pressure, said chamber having an inlet and an outlet; the secondary valve controlling said inlet; interconnecting means operably connecting said movable wall with said secondary valve; relatively light spring means acting on said interconnecting means for urging said secondary valve in the closing direction; relatively strong yielding means acting on said interconnecting means for urging said secondary valve in the closing direction; a pressure responsive movable member connected with said relatively strong yielding means, said movable member being vacuum responsive for releasing said interconnecting means from the effect ondary valve when the interconnecting means is released from the effect of said strong yielding means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES, PATENTS .10 McCutcheon May 24, 1932 8 Ensign Mar. 9, Ensign Mar. 9, Ensign Mar. 9, Hanson May 6, Deming Jan. 11, Jones Feb. 26, Armstrong et a1 Apr. 28,

FOREIGN PATENTS France Jan. 3, France June 7, 

